Well, thank you very much. Now, we're going to have to adjourn in a few minutes. The bell is going to ring and we're going to have to go to the House floor. We have got more than 40 witnesses on our list. We might be able to meet a little while this afternoon; it depends on the House schedule. We will try it. Right now, any witnesses on this list who would like to turn in their entire statement for the record and have 1 minute to make an oral statement, backing up the written statement, may do so. STATEMENT OF H. CHARLES JOHNSTON, REPRESENTING THE GALLINULE SOCIETY Mr. JOHNSTON. I'm H. Charles Johnston, representing the Gallinule Society, and I'm interested in the conservation of time as well as real estate. Mr. TAYLOR. OK. You've got 1 minute. Your statement will be placed in the record, and you have 1 minute. (The statement referred to follows:) STATEMENT OF H. CHARLES JOHNSTON, JR., OF LITTLE ROCK, ARK., REPRESENTING THE GALLINULE SOCIETY FOR THE BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee: First, let me anticipate an inevitable question. The Gallinule Society is an informal group of persons interested in attacking today's ecological problems with a realistic approach. While we admit the necessity of proper planning, we advocate "action" as opposed to "studies and surveys." It would be tiresome, boring and unnecessary to repeat to the asthetic and economic advantages of a National River in North Arkansas. Regardless of what action the Congress and the President may take, the Buffalo River will never again be the primitive playground for a fortunate few. It is already evident that more and more people will be using this river as the years go by. Nor is there any way that this river can maintain its original ecological stature. The alternative to National River status for the Buffalo would be private development which, uncontrolled as it would have to be, represents a death sentence for one of the nation's most beautiful streams. Given status within the National Parks System, the Buffalo River could be properly policed and the destructive impact of Man could be kept at a minimum. The Gallinule Society has carefully studied the pros and cons of this issue and has concluded that both the asthetic and economic values of the project far outweigh any negative considerations. It is our opinion that the proposed Buffalo National River fits admirably within the boundaries of the late Gifford Pinchot's definition of conservation-the wise use of our natural resources for the greatest good for the greatest number. Thank you. Mr. JOHNSTON. We simply endorse the Buffalo National River wholeheartedly and feel that it will contribute to the benefit of the people of the United States as well as the people of Arkansas. STATEMENT OF DR. FRANCES C. JAMES, ARKANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS Dr. JAMES. I just want to add the voice of the Arkansas Academy of Science to the others here from Arkansas supporting this bill. The Arkansas Academy of Science favors the establishment of the Buffalo National River in the State of Arkansas as proposed in H.R. 8382. As scientists, we know the immense scientific value of ecological research. Our members over the years have labored to characterize the flora, fauna, and geology of this region of our State, where man's impact on the environment has been minimal. We consider the scenic value of this region alone to be of sufficient merit to warrant national protection and preservation for future generations. We urge immediate passage of H.R. 8382. Mr. TAYLOR. Thank you very much. STATEMENT OF JOEL PICKELNER, LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION SPECIALIST, REPRESENTING THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION, ACCOMPANIED BY ROBERT E. APPLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARKANSAS WILDLIFE FEDERATION Mr. PICKELNER. My name is Joel Pickelner, and this is Mr. Apple from the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. Mr. APPLE. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, I've already submitted my statement, and so in the interest of brevity, I would like to state that I represent a citizens', statewide organization with members in all 75 counties of the State. We are the State affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, and we have been in this business trying to protect, above all, the Buffalo River for about 20 years, and I think we've used just about every method I can think of. I'm not sure that I can add anything to what we've already said, and since I've already submitted my statement, I would like to make one point, and that is that if there is a point that I should make here today that we haven't previously made, that is the urgency of the situation, the fact that development is a certainty if we don't take some action in the very near future to preclude that possibility. So with that brief statement, I would like to say that I urge you to take all appropriate action in a very short period of time, if possible. Thank you, sir. Mr. Pickelner? Mr. PICKELNER. My statement is filed and it will be in the record. Mr. TAYLOR. Those statements will be included in the record at this point. (The statements referred to follow :) STATEMENT OF ROBERT APPLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARKANSAS The Arkansas Wildlife Federation along with its parent organization, the National Wildlife Federation has as one of its major objectives the preservation of the quality of the environment in this country. We believe that this nation's resources have been indiscriminately exploited, without due concern for all of the needs of the people now and in the distant future. We are especially concerned over the loss of natural streams, wetlands and woodlands, natural areas, fish and wildlife habitats, and other resources which contribute to the quality of our lives, and we are pleased to note that the people of this country and Congress are concerned about the quality of the landscape in the future. The Ozarks Country of Arkansas has been renown for the beauty of its free-flowing streams, its mountains and forest lands. Among the outstanding features of this region is the Buffalo River. The Arkansas Wildlife Federation has, over the past 20 years, recognized the beauty and recreation potentials of the Buffalo, and has had as a major objective the preservation of this River in a free-flowing and unaltered condition. It is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful unspoiled rivers in this Country. Located as it is in the center of a region populated by some 15,000,000 people, it will, if protected, provide recreational diversity in a region already abundantly supplied with artificial impoundments. It is important to the State of Arkansas, both economically and for its unique recreational, scenic, historic and other qualities. Therefore, the Arkansas Wildlife Federation wishes to lend its full support to House Bill No. 8382, which provides for establishment of the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. We believe the plans developed by the National Parks Service will serve to protect this great resource, and it is our belief that, if this legislation is not passed very soon, the river and its extraordinary qualities will be exploited for personal gain and destroyed by haphazard developments. We hope this committee will recognize the great need for immediate action to preserve the Buffalo, and will take the actions necessary to accomplish this objective. The Arkansas Wildlife Federation appreciates this opportunity to present these views before this Congressional Committee in support of this important Legislation. STATEMENT OF JOEL M. PICKELNER ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL Mr. Chairman, I am Joel M. Pickelner, Legislative Information Specialist for the National Wildlife Federation, which has its national headquarters at 1412 Sixteenth Street, N. W., here in Washington, D.C. Ours is a private organization which seeks to attain conservation goals through educational means. The National Wildlife Federation has Affiliates in 50 States and the Virgin Island. These Affiliates, in turn, are made up of local groups and individuals who, when combined with associate members and other supporters of the National Wildlife Federation, number an estimated three million people. We welcome the invitation to comment upon the establishment of the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. Mr. Chairman, the National Wildlife Federation has long favored the establishment of the Buffalo National River. We have previously testified before Congressional Committees in support of legislation to accomplish this act. The Senate has now for the second time passed a bill which would bring about the establishment of the National River. We hope that the House will also act in a positive manner this session. People in our organization and in our affiliate in Arkansas, the Arkansas Wildlife Federation, had a hand in initiating the original studies on the suitability of the Buffalo River proposal it reached in a survey conducted by the University of Arkansas and published in April of 1963. We have supported the establishment of this area in an article published in the "National Wildlife" magazine and other National Wildlife Federation publications. In view of the foregoing, it is obvious that we support the principle of the establishment of the buffalo National River in Arkansas. We do think that it will serve the purpose as outlined in Section 1 or H.R. 8382: "for the purpose of conserving and interpreting an area containing unique scenic and scientific features and preserving this free-flowing stream, an important segment of the Buffalo River in Arkansas, for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations." In addition, we generally are in accord with the proposed boundaries as outlined by the National Park Service in a drawing, No. NR-BUF-7103, dated December, 1967, and containing not more than 95,730 acres. Witnesses appearing earlier in these hearings have outlined the outstanding qualities of this stream and we agree, considering it of at least equal caliber to those which are already set aside in the Ozark National Rivers in Missouri. Winding through the Ozark Mountains through northeastern Arkansas, this outstanding stream traverses a region of exceptional and varied beauty, the Buffalo National River can provide many types of outdoor recreational and educational opportunities. To comment about specifics in H.R. 8382, we believe that Section 2 outlines proper and adequate authority for the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands needed for this facility. We think that the land exchange provision in this section can help implement acquisition of needed properties. H.R. 8382 provides for a procedure whereby proeprty owners within the National River can retain occupancy for up to 35 years. The Senate passed bill limits this occupancy to 25 years. We feel that the additional ten years might cause a few management problems in the future. Again, we are pleased that Section 3 sets out that "The Secretary shall permit hunting and fishing on lands and waters under his jurisdiction within the boundaries of the Buffalo National River in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws, except that he may designate zones where and establish periods when no hunting or fishing shall be permitted except for reasons of public safety, administration, or public use and enjoyment." We do not feel the Secretary should be involved in resident fish and wildlife management. Section 4 provides for reimbursement to the various counties for their real estate tax losses. To the best of my knowledge this has never been done before in National Parks or National River bills. We feel that the counties will benefit greatly by the establishment of the National River and, therefore, would be sufficiently reimbursed through the funds derived from recreational use of the areas and feel that it is not necessary that they be paid by the United States Government. Additionally, this could set a bad precedent for future legislative proposals. We also agree that Section 5 has much merit in protecting the area from licensing of the construction of any dam, water conduit, powerhouse, reservoir, transmission line, or other project work. Unless this protection is provided for, outside influences might well be able to diminish or spoil the outstanding scenic, recreational, and fish and wildlife values which are present in the National River. Section 6 specifies that the Buffalo National River would be administered in accord with the basic, organic Act establishing the National Park Service. This Act, and others, gives the Secretary of the Interior sufficient authority, in our opinion, to adequately and properly enforce laws and regulations in the area. Mr. Chairman, we are pleased that important new amounts of money have been authorized and appropriated for addition to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. We certainly hope and trust that as much as possible of the acquisition backlog will be taken care of and that monies for additional areas, such as the Buffalo National River, can be funded nearly as soon as they are authorized. This, we understand, was a major problem in House consideration in the 91st Congress. To conclude, we recommend approval of H.R. 8382 and again thank the Subcommittee for the opportunity of making these remarks. STATEMENT OF JOE F. NIX, CHAIRMAN, STATE COMMITTEE ON STREAM PRESERVATION Mr. Nix. I serve as the chairman of the State Committee on Stream Preservation. It's a study committe brought about by the State legislature and the only thing that I would like to add-I would ask that my statement be included in the record-the only thing pertinent I would like to add is that State agencies are working-some of the State agencies we have mentioned here earlier are working right now trying to prepare a draft of a State scenic river spill which, although it would be very limited and nothing of the scope that is the proposed in the Buffalo National River system, it will, we hope, some day, give some limited stream bank protection and will compliment the Buffalo River by possibly giving streams in the same vicinity of the State, to take pressures off of the Buffalo River. I have a copy of our report, which describes the system, and I have two copies. I will send them up for you. Mr. TAYLOR. We can place a copy of that in our file, and ment will go in the record. (The statement referred to follows:) your state STATEMENT OF JOE F. NIX PH. D., REPRESENTING THE STATE OF COMMITTEE ON STREAM PRESERVATION Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee: My name is Joe F. Nix and I am representing the State Committee on Stream Preservation. This committee was established by the 1967 Arkansas Legislature with instructions to study and make recommendations to the Arkansas Legislature and the Governor regarding the need for stream preservation in Arkansas. The State Committee on Stream Preservation endorses H.R. 8382 and urges that your committee report favorably on this proposed legislation at the earliest possible date. As you have heard from other state agencies and groups, the Buffalo River of Arkansas is a unique resource and one worthy of protecting for this and future generations to enjoy. We believe that this river represents a type of resource which serves its country better in its natural state. The National Park Service Plan provides for protecting the integrity of the river in a manner which will allow people to see its scenic wonders. In 1969 the State Committee on Stream Preservation submitted its report to the legislature and to the Governor. The report was also included as a section of the Outdoor Recreation Plan for the Department of Planning. This report describes the need for some type of scenic rivers protection for some of the remaining Arkansas Streams. The Committee has proposed that an Arkansas Scenic Rivers System be proposed to offer limited protection to the immediate stream bank of a few of the scenic streams throughout the state. Several state agencies are presently working to formulate this legislation in a form which we hope that the Arkansas Legislature will enact during its next session. In previous drafts of this legislation, the Buffalo River was included in the list of streams recommended for inclusion into the state system. The inclusion of the Buffalo into this proposed system was done with the full understanding that when national river status was approved by Congress, the Buffalo would be withdrawn from the proposed state system. The committee feels that the Buffalo merits much more attention and a higher degree of protection than can be offered in any limited state system. It is hoped that when a state scenic rivers system is established, that it will complement the Buffalo National River by providing a system of a few smaller rivers throughout the state which should help to take public-use pressures off of the Buffalo during periods of high utilization. We feel that a system of state scenic rivers will complement the National River status of the Buffalo. Having observed the Buffalo River for several years, the committee wishes to point out that there is a need for immediate enactment of the proposed national river legislation. Over the last few years the river and the surrounding land have changed because of new land-use practices. Land-use practices which degrade the scenic quality of the Buffalo must be stopped very soon to insure that integrity of the river will not be destroyed. STATEMENT OF DR. JEWEL E. MOORE, ARKANSAS DIVISION OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN Dr. MOORE. I represent the Arkansas Division of the American Association of University Women, about 1,000 women who are concerned with education in the State, and we'd like to go on record as wanting to keep the Buffalo as a place for students to go and study this unique STATEMENT OF H. H. SHUGART, SR., ARKANSAS AUDUBON SOCIETY, ACCOMPANIED BY MRS. MILTON BROWN, SOUTH ARKANSAS AUDUBON SOCIETY, AND THOMAS L. FOTI, JEFFERSON AUDUBON SOCIETY Mr. SHUGART. My name is H. H. Shugart, and I'm accompanied by Mrs. Milton Brown of the South Arkansas Audubon Society and Mr. Thomas L. Foti, of the Jefferson Audubon Society. The Arkansas Audubon Society endorses and strongly urges the passage of both these bills-H.R. 8382 and 9119. The Audubon Society |